Hundred

What is the Hundred?

The Hundred is a fundamental Pilates move that gets its name from the length of time -- 100 beats, or ten sets of ten repetitions -- that you hold the pose. It is a full-body movement that’s particularly engaging for the core and abdominal muscles.

How do you do the Hundred?

  • Step 1

    Lie on your back with your knees bent and in the air, parallel to the floor. Your arms should lie on the mat, palms facing downward.

  • Step 2

    Exhale and extend your legs out to 45 degrees while lifting your head and shoulder blades off the mat. Your arms should slightly hover above from the mat.

  • Step 3

    Pump your arms and inhale for five beats. Exhale for five beats and continue pumping your arms.

  • Step 4

    Lower your legs as much as you can while keeping your abdominals engaged and pulled in. Continue the ten-breath repetition of arm pumps until you have completed it ten times.

How do you modify the Hundred?

  • Hundred for Prenatal

  • Hundred for Beginners

  • Advanced Hundred

  • Hundred for Weak Shoulders

  • Hundred for Tight Hips

What are the benefits of the Hundred?

  • Core Strength

  • Full-body Strength

  • Cardio

Expert opinion

The hundred warms the body up from the inside out and increases breath awareness and blood circulation.
Elisabeth Halfpapp,exhale in New York City

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